The (Ultimate) Blog Challenge

Somewhere and somehow, I heard about this blog challenge a couple of weeks ago.  And a love a good challenge so...

I know very little about why this is considered the ultimate blog challenge.  But from the looks of this little sheet I printed off to keep track of my progress, it looks do-able, while still challenging.  Basically, during the month of January, I am to post a new blog every single day.

That's a lot. But it's not so overwhelming that it sounds out of the realm of possibility.

I've written 50 songs in 90 days several times through another challenge, which wasn't even labeled ultimate.  So I feel like I got this.  There's no reason I can't, and so, there's no reason not to do it.

What I know for sure, is that if you don't practice something regularly, you start to get rusty.  And fortunately, the opposite is true as well: If you practice something regularly, you will get better at it. I will get better.

Do I have enough interesting things to say over the course of 31 days straight?  To be honest, probably not.  But this will help me "re-discover" my writing voice, as I'm a little out of practice these days.

And what better time of the year to re-establish an important habit?

So here goes.  Starting January 1. A new post for this blog every single day.  31 days straight.

3 New Year's Resolutions

What is with the relatively new movement of having a word for the new year, rather than good, old-fashioned resolutions?  The first time I heard the idea, I thought it was sort of cool, and something I could lazily get behind. Then over the last couple of years, more and more people started talking about, and posting their word, and I decided that NO. This "One Word" movement is not for me.

Sort of like twitter.

I set up a Twitter account. And even tweeted a few times. But only 140 characters per tweet.? Ug. And all that hash tagging and at symboling? I just can't grasp it.

I'll stick with blogging. Good, old-fashioned blogging.

AND, good, old-fashioned resolutions.

I think I've lapsed over the last few years in actually declaring my New Year's Resolutions. But I always have goals. By writing them down, especially on my blog!, it's bound to be more encouraging than just goals (that tend to get lost) floating around in my head.

So here they are...my 2014 New Year's Resolutions!

1. Cook more.
Because I love to cook new recipes. Occasionally, they turn out great. And almost always, my husband tells me it turned out good, even when it didn't. The only time I hate cooking, is when I feel rushed, or realize I'm missing a necessary ingredient. Or two. This resolution, like all of mine this year, should be fun, and good for me. I just gotta be sure to plan ahead.

2. Get back to playing learning games with my dogs.
I'm currently reading Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog That Knows 1,000 Words.  It's so interesting AND it's also very inspiring. There is nothing I love more than connecting with Lucy and Ricky. I know they love learning, so I wanna get back to playing fun learning games with them. I've been a little lazy this past year, but I'm stepping it up in 2014! They deserve all the time and attention I can possibly give them.

3. Work a lot more on promoting my Resparkable Vintage shop on Etsy.
I think thru blogging, Instagram, Facebook, taking great photos and tagging things well, I can up the traffic and therefore put a little more of my handmade jewelry out into the world.  I am obsessed with vintage jewelry. I love repurposing jewelry. I don't spend enough time on the promoting side of things, but this year, I will! I love blogging, Instagram, Facebook, etc, so I'm going to remember: this is fun! All of its fun!

That's it. Just those 3 resolutions. Good things come in 3s. 3 is my lucky number. And, at least for me, better than just one word.

Incredible Things

I bought this cool little handmade pendant at a craft fair not too long ago.  I paid for it, I put it in my purse, I got home with it, showed it off to my husband and then~  misplaced it for over a month.  

Oh no!  Losing something with such a beautiful statement to myself felt like a bad omen.  

And just when I thought I might never find it, that perhaps I had mistakenly thrown it out~ I found it.

I have been wearing it almost constantly since.

I've never tried positive affirmations before, but I've heard they're powerful.  I want to do some incredible things.  I want that SHE stamped on the pendant to be ME!

So I wear this around my neck.  I touch it often.  And I repeat the phrase in my head many times a day.  

SHE CAN DO INCREDIBLE THINGS

My Resolution Revolution

Seldom do I make resolutions.  I'm not really that kind of girl.  Resolutions don't seem all that fun and I hear so much about people breaking theirs so soon after the new year.  But I've decided to start a Resolution Revolution this year.  My resolutions are pretty easy, mostly fun (all but one), and I think they'll make me a happier person, and the world a better place!

And so begins my Resolution Revolution:

1.  I'm going to support local art shows more regularly.  Whether it's an art show, a play, or a concert-- I'm going to make an effort to get out and see all that Dallas has to offer.  I'm always happy once I get myself out to a show, but sometimes the getting myself there part is a little difficult. But being a performer myself, I know how meaningful it is to have people show up to something I've worked really hard to get ready for.

A concert I went to recently at the Kessler Theater. 

2.  I'm buying more handcrafted goods off of Etsy this year.  Which means more than 2 items, which is all I bought last year. I love one of a kind things made by someone, rather than a machine.  And if I'm spending money, I'd much rather it be going directly to an artist, rather than some big manufacturing company.

A painting I bought from the very talented Jessica Stride-- on Ebay!

3.  I'm going to cook LOVINGLY.  I look at cooking dinner as a chore, rather than an act of love for myself and for my husband.  So I'm planning to put on my cute apron, turn on some good music, and cook up some great new recipes this year.

Even when I don't look cute, my apron does!

4.  I'm devoting more time to marketing my music.  I'm super proud of my new CD, and I really want as many people to hear it as possible.  I write the music and play it mostly for my own enjoyment, but why record it unless I want people to hear it? And I do! I do!

Get your copy of my CD HERE!

And I've saved the best for last...
5.  There's going to be more passionate kissing going on at my house.
(Sorry-- too passionate to post a picture here!)

See?  Don't those sound like fun?  No dieting.  No quitting any bad habits.  Nothing that seems overly challenging that I will give up on by February 1st. And I was vague enough that it nothing feels too regimented and difficult to stick with.  That's my kind of resolution!